President Trump’s Historic Oil Deal Puts America First

Guest Opinion by Perry Hooper Jr.

President Donald Trump has once again accomplished what the Washington establishment said could not be done. His historic oil agreement with Venezuela gives the United States majority control over the development of more than 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, in effort more than doubles America’s oil reserves and could substantially lower gasoline prices for American families. President Trump called it “the biggest oil deal in world history,” and the numbers support him.

This is America First leadership in action. President Trump did not send taxpayers another enormous bill, negotiate from weakness or surrender our interests to a foreign government. Working through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Venezuelan interim President DelcyRodriguez and private industry, he secured the agreement at no cost to the American taxpayer.

For years, Washington treated energy policy as an ideological experiment. The Biden administration restricted production, attacked pipelines, discouraged investment and left families paying more to fill their tanks, heat their homes and buy groceries. President Trump understands what the climate radicals refuse to admit: affordable energy is the foundation of a strong economy and a secure nation.

Lower gasoline prices help nearly every American. They leave more money with working families, reduce costs for farmers and truckers and make American manufacturing more competitive. Because nearly everything we buy travels by truck, rail, ship or airplane, lower energy costs can ease prices throughout the economy. President Trump is not simply increasing the oil supply. He is attacking the cost of living at its source.

The agreement also strengthens national security. America should never depend upon hostile regimes in Russia, Iran or the Middle East for the energy that powers our economy and military. Bringing Venezuela’s enormous reserves into a Western Hemisphere energy partnership reduces that danger and gives the United States greater influence over its future.

Secretary Rubio called the agreement a huge victory for both countries. It is expected to bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela, modernize its devastated oil industry and support thousands of good-paying jobs. Private enterprise will begin rebuilding what socialism destroyed.

There is a lesson here for the Democratic Socialists of America and their growing collection of candidates. Venezuela possessed some of the greatest natural resources on Earth, but socialist rule turned that extraordinary wealth into poverty, shortages and desperation. President Trump is not vindicating socialism. He is proving that American leadership, private capital and free enterprise are required to repair the damage socialism leaves behind.

The contrast could not be clearer. Democrats offer mandates, regulations and lectures about what kind of car Americans should drive. President Trump delivers energy, investment, jobs and lower prices. The DSA wants government planners deciding how Americans live. President Trump wants families keeping more of the money they earn.

This agreement also shows why President Trump remains the world’s greatest dealmaker. Traditional politicians measure achievement by meetings held, statements issued and taxpayer dollars spent. President Trump measures it by results. Does the deal strengthen America, lower prices, create jobs and make the country safer? If so, he gets it done.

His larger strategy includes expanding American drilling, supporting pipelines, rebuilding refining capacity, exporting natural gas and using American economic power to secure reliable supplies. Every additional barrel produced by or aligned with the United States strengthens our workers and weakens our enemies.

Naturally, the same politicians and media figures who spent years insisting presidents could not influence gasoline prices will search for reasons to criticize this agreement. They cannot stand watching President Trump succeed because every Trump victory exposes the consequences of their own failed policies.

I wholeheartedly support this historic agreement. It protects taxpayers, expands our energy supply, strengthens national security and offers lasting relief at the pump. While the Left tries to make energy scarce and expensive, President Trump is making America stronger, more prosperous and more secure.

This is more than a record-setting oil deal. It is a declaration that the days of America apologizing, surrendering and paying the bill are over. President Trump is back in the White House, America First is back in charge, and American energy dominance is roaring back with it.

Perry O. Hooper Jr. is a longtime Alabama Republican figure, former Alabama Legislator and Montgomery businessman. He served as Co-Chair of “Alabama Trump Victory” in 2016, and served as an at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention. He is a noted civic leader in Montgomery with deep family roots in Alabama’s legal and political history.

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